Industry Stars Honored 

A strong contingent of hospitality industry stakeholders participated in the 2024 Summit and were joined by hundreds more to honor the 2024 Visitor Industry Award recipients. We appreciate the video tribute, created by the Turell Group, which provided a well-deserved send off to retiring Travel Lane County President/CEO Kari Westlund. 

We cannot provide great events like this without great sponsors and we salute our Presenting Sponsor, Turell Group, and our Industry Sponsors, Summit Bank and Mereté Hotel Management. Additionally, we thank the staff at the Graduate Eugene who served attendees throughout the event.

Award Recipients

City of Springfield and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, our 2024 Destination Award recipient. View award video.

Cathryn Stephens, Eugene Airport Director, our 2024 Community Leadership Award recipient. View award video.

Francois Boulander and Emerald Valley BMX, our 2024 Sports Leadership Award recipient. View award video.

Susan Sygall and Mobility International USA, our 2024 Convention Leadership Award recipient. View award video.

Ben Blankenship  and the Endless Mileage Project, our 2024 Stewardship Award recipient. View award video.

June Visits May Spur Record Tax Receipts

While Hayward Field will be active nearly every day in June, it's not all track and field as college and university graduation, the Oregon Gran Fondo, the Eugene Tea Festival, Mountain Bike Oregon, The Bus Fair and other events draw visitors to the region. All of this visitor activity may push June lodging tax receipts to a record high.

Be sure to stay abreast of all events happening in the region by signing up for our Weekly Events email.  

Pack the Hult on June 2 

There's no better way to spend your Sunday afternoon than hearing and seeing some of the best athletes in collegiate track & field and cross country history. Celebrate with a look back at their collegiate careers via video tributes, roundtable panel discussions and special guest appearances. Join us as we gather for the red carpet walk beginning at 4:30 p.m along the ramped entrance of Eugene's Hult Center for the Performing Arts. USTFCCCA Hall of Fame coach, Olympic medalist, University of Oregon alum and Oregon native Bill Dellinger will be among this year's class of inductees. 

This event is FREE to the public! 

Eugene Council to Discuss Decarbonization 

Last year, based on input from the community, the Eugene, City Council repealed its gas ban. City staff have been hosting listening sessions with a variety of industries, which is intended to help shape the City's staff recommendations around a suite of decarbonization opportunities. Council work sessions are scheduled for July 10 and 17. Ahead of these meetings, the City is asking residents for feedback in a new survey. Please respond to this survey and let your City Council know that Eugene residents want a balanced approach that recognizes the efforts hospitality businesses have taken and that our vibrant economic sector relies on a variety of energy choices to serve both residents and visitors. Visit the NW Natural Gas Facts page for information on the role of natural gas in a balanced energy approach. 

Market of Choice Comes On Board as Official Grocer of Welcome to TrackTown

With 11 Oregon stores and the motto, "Oregon is home. Our heart is here," Market of Choice is the perfect grocery partner for our Welcome to TrackTown team. We are the "heart and home of track and field" after all!  So, whether it's providing healthy snacks for athletes, lunch for visiting fans or a full bag of groceries for hungry Hayward Field visitors, Eugene-based Market of Choice has it all. Their Franklin Boulevard location ideally located within blocks of nearby hotels, campus housing and Hayward Field and that means they can meet the needs of residents and visitors before and after competition. As Market of Choice says, "If it comes from an independent maker, grower, or producer, it’s going to be better."  

For a recap of the exciting events coming to Hayward Field visit WeAreTrackTown.org.

Inclusion & Diversity

Trail Accessibility Comes to Mt. Pisgah

Registration is open for the June 12 David's Chair demonstration event at the Willamette Confluence. Five track chairs will be available for attendees to ride and recreate the confluence's river corridor.

This is an exciting occasion and it came to life through a collaboration including: David's Chair, Eugene Adaptive Recreation, Lane County Parks, McKenzie River Trust, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Travel Lane County and the Wednesday Wheelers. 

Following the June 12 event, the David's Chair at the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum may be reserved by visiting the David's Chair registration page. Additionally, the group is looking to establish another chair for use at Willamette Confluence. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting addition. 

This will be Lane County's second David's Chair available for people with disabilities to enjoy a great outdoor recreation experience. The first David's Chair, located in Florence at the Driftwood Shores Resort, has been attracting visitors from throughout Oregon and even from Utah! 

Member News

King Estate Reins Supreme

King Estate racked up top honors at the 16th Annual Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition held April 13-14 in San Diego. All the wines we entered medaled, with three named “Best” in their category and three winning Platinum awards. King Estate was named Winery of the Year and Brent Stone Winemaker of the Year.

Theo's Coffee House Celebrates 25 Years

Congratulations to Doug Randels, owner of Theo's Coffee House, for 25 years serving residents and visitors great coffee and making all guests feel welcome. 

McKenzie River Trail Fully Open

The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail and its trailheads are now fully open, following the completion of a new trail bridge connecting Trail Bridge Campground with Deer Creek watershed. Know before you go!

Florence Makes Top 11 List

WorldAtlas highlighted Florence in its Top 11 Most Charming Small Towns to Visit in Oregon list. We already knew you were charming! 

Liz Tate Named Woman Business Leader of the Year

Congratulations Liz Tate, Regional Director of Sales Manager for Mereté Hotel Management, for being name the Eugene Chamber of Commerce's Women Business Leader of the Year!

Graduate Eugene Offers Artist Residency

A Sweet Dreams Society Residency aims to help artists in the early steps of their journey. Society members will receive the time, space and resources they need to create, gaining confidence in their craft and forging lifelong bonds with mentors and peers. Session 6 runs from August 1 – November 1, 2024 and the application deadline is July 1, 2024.

ABAE BRAVA Awards 

The Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE) hosted its Spring BRAVA awards before a raucous crowd of arts enthusiasts at the historic McDonald Theatre. Dana Turell, Travel Lane County Board Chair and arts supporter extraordinaire, is shown above participating in the awards presentation. The audience was reminded that arts delivers many positive cultural outcomes and provides significant economic impacts. The Arts and Economic Prosperity Study, released in 2023, noted $124 million in economic impact in Eugene and these impacts continue to grow. The BRAVA awards has recognized local artists, arts organizations, and businesses that have made significant positive contributions to the quality of life in our community since 2010. Congratulations to this year's winners:

Eugene Arts & Letter Award - Steve LaRiccia

Fentress Award - Eugene Concert Choir

Arts & Business Partnership Award - Community Supported Shelters & OSLP Arts & Culture Center

Dave Hauser Business of the Year Award - Hop Valley Brewing 

Oregon Transient Lodging Tax 20 Year Anniversary

Twenty years ago the Oregon State legislature passed HB2267, which led to the creation and funding of the Oregon Tourism Commission and provided protection of lodging taxes for tourism programs, facilities and services. In recognition of this important legislation and 20th anniversary of its implementation, Travel Oregon produced a video to remind us how this work transformed statewide tourism and why protecting and defending HB2267 still remains a top priority for the industry’s future. 

To learn about the path of Oregon’s TLT you may view this video.

Weekly Update Sent to Your Inbox

Our Events this Week email comes to your inbox each week with a few highlighted events and links to the complete Events Calendar. It can be challenging to find information on events happening throughout the region, so why not let us help! Your family and friends will impressed with how you keep your finger on the pace of the community!